SBU: History and Timeline

1980
February
The University Hospital opens 30 beds and the Ambulatory Care Pavilion. This opening is the first in the nation of a major teaching hospital since the University of Massachusetts hospital opened in 1977.

The National Book Critics Circle chooses English Professor Thomas Flanagan’s first novel, The Year of the French, for 1979 as "outstanding work of American fiction."

Dr. Felix Rapaport, Professor of Surgery and Director of Transplantation Services at the University Hospital, is honored with the French Grand Croix des Palmes-Academiques for his work in Histocompatibility in collaboration with Jean Dausset, the 1980 Nobel Laureate.

Susam Liers (’81), the 1982 US women’s national race walking champion, is among the New York State athletes chosen to carry the Olympic torch to the Lake Placid Olympic games.

The Laboratory for Personal Computers in Education and Dial-A-Univac opens.

800 people are employed by the hospital.

February 17: Administrator Michael Elliott receives call from the State Health Department authorizing the admitting of patients.

February 18: the first two patients are admitted to the 30-bed psychiatric ward.

February 27: Dr. Felix Rappaport and Dr. Wayne Waltzer perform the first kidney transplant at the hospital, also the first on 
Long Island.

March 30: the first baby is born at the hospital, Jeffery Eric Solomon.

May 24: the hospital is formally dedicated.

July
John Marburger becomes the third President of SUNY Stony Brook.
President Marburger announces review of academic and administrative organizational structures.
Statewide personnel hiring freeze lifted.
Preliminary budget targets include personnel and OTPS cuts. 
Graduate student apartments to be available for Fall occupancy.
July: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit opens, the first in Suffolk County.

August
James Black becomes Vice President for University Affairs.
Sidney Gelber announces resignation as Provost effective June 1981 Arnold Strassenburg appointed Acting Dean for Undergraduate Studies Service of alcoholic beverages in dorms is limited to beer and wine, some dorm pubs closed
President Marburger announces priorities.
Development of support services for academic departments. 
Completion of University Hospital and HSC Schools.
Development of programs related to public services {i.e., engineer¬ing, business, high technology interfaces. etc.)
Increase in sponsored research
Stabilization of enrollment
Increase in fund-raising initiatives
Development of stronger concern for people
Increase in energy savings
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (20 beds) opens.

September
Energy conservation program launched Enrollments increase over previous year Students tripled in campus residences

October
MSRC creates artificial fishing reef: Governor Carey visits Food and Beverage Task Force established.
President Marburger to Chair Suffolk County Task Force on Financing.
Mobile intensive care ambulance is available to handle emergencies, including surgery. The unit is used to transfer the first patient from another hospital in the community to the PICU.
Emergency Department and Radiology Department opens.

November
Ad Hoc Committee on University Health Services convened Elizabeth Wadsworth resigns as Vice President for Student Affairs Recommendations on reorganization submitted.
Advisory Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics named.
Stony Brook Associates formed (fund-raising support group). 
University Scholars Program started (Undergraduate Admissions program].
University Hospital opening proceeding according to plan.

December 
Governor Carey appoints President Marburger chair of State Energy Office Review Committee.

1981
January
Friends of the Fine Arts Center hold first meeting.
Jacob Bigeleisen resigns as Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School.
Ruth Brandwein becomes Dean of the School of Social Welfare Winter weather damages Fine Arts Center, SBS, dorms, etc.
The first Bach Aria Institute and Festival is conducted on the SUNY Stony Brook campus.
SUNY Stony Brook, Brookhaven National Laboratory, and Cold Spring Harbor laboratory form an alliance to offer an academic program leading to Ph.D. in biosciences with a specialty in genetics.
Former US Senator Jacob Javits donates his papers, which cover his 34 years of public life, to the Special Collections Department of the Frank Melville memorial Library.

February
Academic reorganization (Provost, Vice Provosts, Deans) realized Robert Sokal appointed Acting Vice Provost for Research and Graduate Studies.
Administrative reorganization effected.
President Marburger celebrates 40th birthday.
Office of Conferences and Special Events created.
Hospital Auxiliary is founded by a group of women including Carolyn Fell, Ann Poppers, Uta Dee, Beverly Sokoloff with a goal to raise funds for the "benefit of patients, families and staff of the Hospital and provide public information programs to serve surrounding communities."
Hospital is designated as the Long Island Regional Transplantation Center for kidney transplantation.

March
Three Village Times names President Marburger Man of the Year in Education.
Beverly Harrison appointed Affirmative Action Officer.
Mary Lasker and Lewis Thomas honored at SBF Annual Dinner.
Senator Jacob Javits donates papers to USB.
Second parking structure for HSC approved.
Richard P. Schmidt receives University Medal for service to Stony Brook.

April
Sidney Gelber Week held; Gelber receives University Medal for service to Stony Brook.
First Authors and Editors reception is held.
State budget approval delayed; SUNY issues paychecks in script.
Mobile intensive care unit treats two men overcome by paint fumes after falling into a water tank in Centereach after their scaffolding collapsed.

May
Marburger inauguration held.
In May, John Marburger is inaugurated as the third President of the University.
First annual I-CON (Island Convention of Science Fiction Fact, Fiction and Fantasy) is held at SUNY Stony Brook. The Patriots volleyball team wins the New York State Division III championship, the first women’s state title for SUNY Stony Brook. 

June
Fine Arts Center hosts successful Bach Aria Festival and John Little exhibit

July
165 residents arrive and begin their studies in Family Medicine, Medicine, Neurology, Orthopedics, Psychiatry and Surgery departments.
Hospital is one of the few in the state staffed entirely by RNs.
Hospital is becoming known for cutting edge medical treatment and research.
Hospital is at the forefront of developing patient informatics; touch-screen computer terminals are located at nursing stations.
Database software, designed by Stony Brook staff members, serves as a model for other institutions.
Hospital has area's only full body CAT scan unit.
Hospital establishes itself as the joint replacement center for Long Island.
Hospital is drawing national recognition for clinical research efforts.
First cardiac catheterization is performed by Division of Pediatric Cardiology.
First Year, 1980-81. 
150 of the 504 beds are open and occupied.
4,500 patients have been admitted to date.
45,000 passed through the ambulatory care unit.
Over 1,000 surgeries performed.
243 babies are born.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit treats its first patient.

September
Homer Neal becomes Provost.
Frederick R. Preston appointed Vice President for Student Affairs.
Robert Francis appointed Vice President for Campus Operations.
John Bilello resigns as Dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences: Stewart Harris appointed Acting Dean
Administrative reorganization. Step II, put in place.
Stony Brook People to be expanded and published monthly.
Campus falls short of enrollment targets.

October
First Alumni College Day held on campus.
Vice Presidential Advisory Group (VPAG) retreat held.
President Marburger visits Poland.
Provost Neal announces plans for a Distinguished Lecture Series.
Plans unveiled for new undergraduate recruitment initiatives.
Local hiring freeze imposed.

November 
Kosher meal plan begins in Roth Cafeteria.
Faculty handbook to be revised.
Ammann College dedicated.
Women's Volleyball team captures State Championship.

December
Plans to strengthen intercollegiate athletics announced Centralized commencement ceremony set for 1982.

1982
SUNY Stony Brook introduces a program leading to a Master of Science degree in Technological Systems Management.

SUNY Stony Brook now offers a total of 54 post-baccalaureate degrees (30 masters and bringing the number of graduate degrees offered at Stony Brook to 54 (30 masters and 24 doctoral degrees).

The Conference Board of Associated Research Councils rates SUNY Stony Brook among the top 20 programs in the US for physics, geosciences, mathematics, and computer science programs.

Classes begin with 16,144 students and 1,150 faculty members.

Four SUNY Stony Brook athletes earn All-American honors: Neil Vohr (82) in squash; Jan Bender (’83), Tom Aird (’85), and Bjorn Hansen (’85) in swimming.

Dr. Constantine Anagnostopoulos and a team of Stony Brook surgeons perform the first adult open heart surgery, coronary bypass graft.

First pediatric open-heart surgery is performed.

Dr. Jorge Benach and team announce discovery of spirochete responsible for Lyme disease, fortifying the hospital's role as a research center.

Annual budget approaches $100m; over 1200 people are employed by the hospital.

236 beds are open; 1,146 babies are born.

February
Planning Group established to generate annual planning document Provostial Student Advisory Council established.
Ruth Brandwein to chair Provost's Committee on Women and Minority Issues.
Lenora McClean becomes Dean of the School of Nursing.

March
Frank Press and Carl Sagan honored at SBF Annual Dinner.
Task Force on Stony Brook Union appointed.
Executive Director of Middle States to visit as first formal step in 10-year reaccreditation process.
University Hospital Auxiliary announces plans to sponsor horse show in July as fund-raising event.

April
Sigma Xi elevated to chapter status.
State adopts new accounting system; delays in processing payments expected.
Commuter College opens in Stony Brook Union.

May
Legislative redistricting moves campus from Senator LaValle's district to Senator Lack's.
Standing Advisory Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics appointed.
First President's Awards for Professional Service presented.
First central commencement ceremony held Neighbors complain about outdoor concerts.

June
Task Force on Campus Safety and Security established.
Reception held at Sunwood celebrating 10th anniversary of the Friends of Sunwood.

August
Governor announces Statewide hiring freeze.

September
David Glass appointed Vice Provost for Research and Graduate Studies.
Graham Spanier appointed Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies Robert Neville appointed Dean for Humanities and Fine Arts.
Egon Neuberger appointed Dean for Social and Behavioral Sciences Roman de la Campa becomes Interim Director of International Programs
1982 is 25th anniversary of USB.
Daka is new campus food service contractor.
Oversight of computing services reorganized.
Provost Neal launches new initiative: "Luncheon Seminars."
SUNY Central announces reorganization.
Enrollment goals achieved: 500 more students than previous year.

October
USB fares well in national graduate program review by the Associated Research Councils.
New Affirmative Action initiatives underway.
Daycare services to be reviewed.
Provost Neal establishes University Council of Deans.

November
Mario Cuomo elected Governor.
Planning begins for Employee Assistance Program.

December
Fire causes serious damage to Commissary.

1983

Rose Coser institutes a lawsuit against SUNY Stony Brook, citing discrimination against women faculty members, and calling for equal pay.

January 
Stony Brook Foundation establishes new support group structure.
State begins lag payroll program.
New guidelines concerning how hospitals receive reimbursement for patient stays under Medicare are enacted.
Stony Brook dealing with slow, steady decline in subsidies from New York State.

February
New Stony Brook Union Advisory Board created.

March
Beverly Harrison resigns as Affirmative Action Officer.
Stewart Harris named Dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
Task Force to study use of alcoholic beverages on campus appointed by President Marburger and Vice President Preston.
Men's Lacrosse elevated to NCAA Division III.
Three Village Times names President Marburger Man of the Year

April
Alan Entine serves as Acting Affirmative Action Officer.
NYS Science and Technology Foundation designates USB as a Center for Advanced Technology in medical biotechnology
Dedication of USB linear accelerator held.
Undergraduate Achievement Recognition Program inaugurated State imposes rigid hiring freeze.
Michael Elliott resigns as hospital's executive director.
William Newell is named executive director.
Hospital Gift Shop is renovated by auxiliary volunteers; shop is staffed by auxiliary.
An additional 70 beds open.

May
James Black resigns as Vice President for University Affairs. 
SBF Dinner-Mary McCarthy and Seamus Heaney honored.
Governor Cuomo asks President Marburger to chair a commission on Shoreham nuclear facility.
State offers first voluntary retirement program.
First honorary degrees given at commencement.
Governor establishes Task Force on Flexibility.
Task Force on Promotion and Career Ladder Opportunities submits recommendations.

June
Michael Elliott resigns as Director of University Hospital.
Dan Melucci appointed Interim Budget Director.
President Marburger visits Israel.

September
President makes statement on "Politics of Race."
Court finds no pattern of sex discrimination.
Direct deposit program for paychecks offered.
Evening program to expand.
Campus buildings renamed (South Campus & generic buildings).
Football moves from club status to NCAA Division III.
Office for Foreign Students merges with International Programs Francis Bonner named Director of International Programs Center for Academic Advising opens.
Enrollments fall short of targets by 500.
University buildings on the Main Campus are renamed as follows, to reflect current usage: Social Sciences A and B changed to Psychology A and B. Old Biology to Central Hall; Graduate Biology became the Life Sciences Building; the Physical Laboratory and the Math Tower are now the Physics building and Mathematics building, and the Chemistry Laboratory was changed to the Chemistry Building (Statesman, 23 September 1983).

October
Symposium celebrates acquisition of Javits papers. 
Draft of reaccreditation self-study ready for review.

October 11: Baby Jane Doe, born with severe birth defects, is transferred to Stony Brook University Hospital. Legal issues ensue when the baby's parents decide to withhold treatment since the prognosis is not good. Lawyers from a right-to-life group accompanied by a New York State Supreme Court judge and a representative from the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office arrive at the hospital demanding to see the baby and her records. The Baby Jane Doe case draws national attention, rising up through the US Supreme Court, which refused to hear the case. The case receives intense scrutiny, with then president Ronald Reagan commenting. Efforts to overturn the parents' decision fail.

October 16: A. Lawrence Washburne, attorney, files suit at State Supreme Court asking that a guardian for Baby Jane Doe be appointed.

Two pediatric patients avert open-heart surgery when the fist balloon valvuplasties are performed.
303 beds are open; 1,447 babies are born.

November
William T. Newell, Jr. appointed University Hospital Director.
Service Awards established-ceremony to be held in December.
First Annual Fund Drive launched.
Task Force on Campus Safety and Security submits report Faculty/Professional.
Employee Handbook revision published.

December
Marion Metivier appointed Affirmative Action Officer
Campus required to cut 162 positions by April
Report on Shoreham nuclear facility released

1984
January 
Residence Hall Association formed.
Campus plans to acquire its own telephone system.

February
Human Resources Office reorganized.
Decision made to reduce number of dormitories with cooking programs-Vice President Fred Preston establishes task force.

February–October 
Hospital continues to expand and grow into its role as Suffolk County's tertiary care hospital. Ambulatory Surgery Unit, Radiation Oncology, Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, and Burn Unit, which is designated as the regional center for burn care, opens.

March 
At SBF Dinner, Hyman Rickover and William Warner honored.
10-year accreditation site team visits: led by Stanley Eikenberry, President of the University of Illinois.
Space allocation policies established.
SUNY establishes Commission on the Future of SUNY.
Public Safety officers given permission to use mace.
Lecture Center named for Senator Jacob Javits.
University opens Parson House as guest facility.

April 
Final report from Yang Commission (faculty rights and responsibilities) received.
New athletic fields to be constructed.
Vice President Preston recommends meal plan for all new students Feasibility of campus conference center to be explored.
On April 4th, the Lecture Center is renamed the “Jacob K Javits Lecture Center” in honor of Senator Javits’ many contributions to education and Stony Brook University (Statesman, 4 April 1984).

May
Motor Vehicle Registration Fee established.
Campus hosts symposium on Academic Freedom.

June
First President's Awards for Classified Service, Teaching, Librarianship and Service by RF Employees presented.
First Simons Fellowship Program for high school students held.

July
New SUNY Trustees Edgar Sandman and Clinton Dominick visit campus.
Replacement for HSC boiler arrives by barge.

September
Patricia Teed appointed Vice President for University Affairs.
Undergraduate admissions criteria raised.

October
New initiative increases residence hall security.
Council on Faculty Rights and Responsibilities established.
Burn Center opened. 
Homer Neal appointed to Research Foundation Board of Directors.
Campus acquires All-in-One electronic mail system.

November
Approval received to begin planning for Field House and addition for School of Dental Medicine.
Task Force on Women's Safety set up.

Dr. Paul Lauterbur, SBU professor of chemistry, is awarded the Albert Lasker Award for Clinical Medicine, for his pioneering work in the development and refinement of nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners. Dr. Lauterbur subsequently received the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2003 for his part in developing MRI technology.

368 beds are open; 1,653 babies are born.

December
New land use policy proposed.